“Watchdog accuses Bush of illegally conveying his intention to run”

A campaign watchdog is pouncing on Jeb Bush’s statement on Tuesday morning that he was “all in,” months before he formally announced his presidential campaign in June, saying it appears Bush may have violated multiple federal laws by privately communicating his intention to run.

During an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Bush recalled a private meeting with Mitt Romney in January 2015. Romney, at the time, was considering a third bid for the presidency, and Bush worried that another run by the former Republican nominee could sink his own prospects. Characterizing the meeting on Tuesday, Bush said he assured Romney he was “all in” to win the presidency.